To be honest I am still mystified by the design zeitgeist and why certain trends catch on while others never get traction. It’s just fascinating. I say all this because as I was thinking of what I wanted to write about this week I thought, “Man, I’ve been seeing a lot of really amazing fabric pendants/ceiling lights.” So I asked Caitlin at the end of our Zoom meeting if that idea sounded at all interesting. Her reply was “Oh my god! I want to make a fabric light for my bedroom! I’ve been obsessed!” Well, that settled that. These cool textured lights are clearly on people’s minds so let’s talk about my favorite styles and of course, give you some shoppable options at the end:)


So as you may know Caitlin and I are in the slowest race ever recorded to finish our bedrooms (don’t fact-check that and we are making progress!). In my initial attempt to make my mood board, I came across this amazing, drapey vintage ceiling light (see above). She was perfect!! Well, it was perfect until I saw that it was nearly $8k. Cool, cool, cool. It was at that moment I realized I was being ridiculous and that I needed to just keep the Noguchi pendant I already owned and installed from my last apartment. But this was the birth of my new obsession…the flowy, loose fabric ceiling light.
But first, let’s look at some fabric pendants that fall into the traditional way we think about them…structured and taut! I particularly love these ones where their boning is highlighted by contrasting trim. I am a huge Eny Lee Parker fan and love her more modern take with the harder angles and colorful trim. But the more classic “bunt cake” style will always have my heart and is so versatile stylistically.
Now this incredible Josef Hoffmann oversized fabric pendant with the tassel accent is what design dreams are made of. The best thing about most fabric pendant lights, in general, and depending on the fabric, is you get such a beautiful soft glow in your space. It makes “the big light” (a commonly disliked type of light:)) the best light as long as it’s on a dimmer, of course.
Then after seeing this picture of a rice paper pendant (likely my Noguchi) with an added tassel, I thought, “Well, I could definitely add one to mine if I wanted!” The jury is still out but I’m considering it.
Ok, now let’s get into the type of lights that are really reintroduction this trend…
See what I mean? Flowy, whimsical, and provincial even. They can be such a beautiful contrast to a room that is otherwise filled with clean lines and harder materials. EHD favorite, Beata Heuman has been leaning into these styles for a minute and I love every last one. She actually made the one on the right and is selling it! See below in the shoppable options:)
Here’s a different great shot of a Josef Frank pendant but this one is in The Expert’s showroom (which also makes me feel even more confident about this trend).
Then when Reath Design AND Heidi Caillier are both installing this style of pendant, it’s kind of a done deal…I know this is definitely a trend to pay A LOT of attention to. The quiet, soft drama they bring to these spaces is undeniable. Are you scrolling down to see which ones you want to buy and put in your house yet??
Now, those styles might not be your taste and something a little more modern might be a better fit for you. Well, don’t worry because I’ve got plenty of inspo options. These two pendants above (both are linked at the end of this post) still create a ton of whimsy but look and feel more refined. Like a frozen twirl in motion. The fabrics also look like clouds. I love that they make the ceiling look airy.


If you really love a vintage modern look then this MCM Italian beauty will be right up your alley (my Italian MCM obsession is getting deeper by the minute people!). They of course sell for a few thousand dollars but my god are they incredible. The photos of it lit up are beautiful.
I wanted to add this light because while I think they are less popular at the moment, I do think we should keep our eye on this style. It has a distinct “drop cloth” vibe but I’m not mad about it.
These lamps on the other hand are anything but a drop cloth! Studio EBUR is a design duo who brought their cultures and upbringing in West Africa and Lebanon into their stunning designs. These pendants are handcrafted, and thoughtfully designed and you can tell. I love the ruffle we’ve been seeing in other designs but combined with the inverted cone it gives it less of a provincial feel and more of a “high society” vibe.
These highly stylized two-tiered beauts are maybe my favorite(??) Ah! It’s impossible to choose. In my little research, the real vintage version of these are also made in Italy (and cost a very pretty penny). But the structure and detail should be marveled at. Look at the one with the beautiful pattern! If you are looking for an easy way to add drama, look no further.
I had to add this example too:)
Now, I know that most of these lamps have been a version of white or cream and for some of you that’s just not how you roll. Well, here are a couple of awesome examples of colorful, taut pendants. It’s always important to think about the kind of light you need in a room. With a colorful shade, you are going to get a very specific tone of light around your room so make sure it’s what you want and need in that space.
The same goes for patterns when it comes to light but I mean, how sick is that giant checkered light in the middle of that installation space (fyi, I don’t think it’s a working light but it totally could be with the proper parts!)?
Ok, we’ve come to the end of the inspiration portion of this chat…here is the sales pitch! JUST KIDDING. But seriously, if I have now “accidentally” caused a need for fabric lights in your home, here are a few categories with all different price points for you to look at! And as promised, some are the exact ones from the photos above:)

1. Lampshade Sewn | 2. Paper Bag Gong Pendant | 3. Cotton Hanging Lamp | 4. Handmade Linen Vintage Large Pendant Light Shade | 5. Handmade Stripe Linen Ruffle Pendant Light Shade | 6. Lampshade Pendant

1. Lia Pendant Light | 2. Tempo Vivace Pendant | 3. Duzy Handmade Irregular Linen Lamp

1. REGNSKUR / HEMMA | 2. Hayden Fabric Pendant | 3. The Park Embroidered Textile Lampshade
I truly love all of these options and hope that this dose of design candy was as satisfactory for you as it was for me. Are you on board? Do you like the loose fabric look? Are you a die-hard taut fabric lover forever? Let’s chat!
Love you, mean it.
I cut a circle out of an old sheet, added a hole for the cord, and draped my own fabric lightshade over an old frame last year! Is it as neat as these? No. Is it free? Yes!
that sounds great! and free is always the best:)
Oh I love this trend! I particularly like how it can work in so many different spaces/styles. I have been eyeing this wall sconce version https://pin.it/14qtCb15T for some time! And was recently drawn to this one https://docos.us/products/gailon-ceiling-light?pins_campaign_id=626749309057&pp=0&epik=dj0yJnU9QWZxaHM1Uy13RG1hT1IwOTFhMlV6Njg2ampTNHBWS3MmcD0xJm49eklSNzVGSWxCU2cybXBHTXhJOUZ2dyZ0PUFBQUFBR2FyWXhV which is not fabric but gives that flowy fabric look!
I almost added the sconce photo to this post but then realized I was really just talking about ceiling lights. I love them though!!
love that sconce!
I particularly love the more structured fabric pendants. How does one dust these? That’s my big question. A vacuum seems too aggressive for such delicate pendants. An air duster used for computer keyboards and other electronics? Would that work? A bellows? Blowing on it with your mouth? Or do you simply leave the dust and let the pendant gradually become a brutalist sculptural pendant?
That’s all I could think about when looking at these.
Lol. This is my question, too! I love the soft look of fabric lighting, but not the upkeep. I usually use a Swiffer duster for lights but I don’t think it would work well on fabric. A lint roller might work well. (Although time-consuming.)
I only have experience with my rice paper pendant but I guess I just don’t notice the dust. I would probably just use a very low vacuum setting if I wanted to clean:)
I’ve got fabric lampshades and I use electrostatic dust cloths. They’re awesome. Don’t know American brands sorry, but these are the ones I use:
https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/278263/pledge-grab-it-electrostatic-dusting-cloths
They work on any and all surfaces but are good for fabric because they just pick up the dirt without need for rubbing etc.
O thanks for the tip!
This is very helpful. I would still prefer structured shades, looking at most of these it’s hard to not think of the dust factor, not to mention longevity. Some are beautiful though.
So helpful Sally!
I’m in Australia too and have two structured fabric lights that I love. I haven’t noticed the dust yet, but glad to know these exist when I do.
https://www.westelm.com/products/cirrus-pendant-h5362/?pkey=cpendants&position=11
https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/regnskur-ceiling-lamp-white-90520416/
I have used the sticky lint rollers on fabric shades before and they worked pretty good.
I watch YouTube while I row (on a rowing machine) and recently ended up watching a lot of very detailed YouTube videos about historical costuming. Some of the loose fabric lights really look like petticoats over hoop skirts to me. Which hey, is maybe an affordable way to DIY this if you are so inclined. For me, I prefer the tauter style ones.
I totally see that
I’ve also been observing this trend! I’m not a fan of most of them at all however. I particularly dislike the drapy Beata Heumann lights. They look messy and rag-like to me, and like big dust collectors. An exception (not mentioned here) is the At Illuminate DIY light. That one I really love!
Fair!
Same! lol See my post!
I like the parasol-looking ones,, but the Italian one looks like someone hung a laundry basket from the ceiling (to me). Maybe it looks different lit up?
I’m sure they look different in person but who knows! 😉
That was my thought exactly. Hang a laundry cart from the ceiling. My other thought is that with the Friends revivals people are keying off the Fortuny floor pendant lamp that Monica had in her apartment and making modern interpretations. I know I’ve always wanted one 🙂
I love these but I never see them in an entryway. What do you all think of the large noguchi, hay or george nelson style pendants in a double height, large entryway? too simple?
I’m biased because I love those lamps but I think any would look great. It’s really all about the scale.
Love the idea. There are so many big, cool Noguchi options! Depending on how big your space is you could even do a cluster.
Not too simple. And it can go modern or traditional.
I just bought an Asian fabric parasol to make a lamp – before I read this.
the zeitgeist is strong:)
I totally want to hang a curtain (like the checked one) around my ugly old iron chandelier. Any ideas how I can extend supports out to hang it from? Old bike tire?
o cool! i don’t have any ideas off the top of my head but maybe someone else will<3
Ack! Jess! Your posts are ALWAYS such eye candy. It’s like i’m going through my IG saved folder. All the things that make me oooooh and ahhhhh! I will be coming back to this over and over again.
Okay, maybe I am alone on this, but I will die on this hill. LOL. The Loose Fabric set of pendants literally look like granny bonnets to me, and not in a cute costal grandma way! Almost like a really short kid on Halloween with a sheet over their heads! EWW. That’s a HARD pass for me. NOW, that said, the second two sets of pendants above look great! I love the architectural, sculptural feeling the Soft Fabric pendants bring to a room and I will always LOVE Tight Fabric pendants!
Some of these are cool but I’ll never be able to get on this trend because it just reminds me of when my college boyfriend draped a bedsheet around his ceiling fan to soften the light. Hard pass lol. Cute for other people though!
This linen ceiling shade from Zara Home is an affordable option:
https://www.zara.com/us/en/linen-ceiling-lamp-shade-p48284047.html?v1=376398841&v2=2415393